Terminal connector assembly for a medical device and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly of an electrophysiologial device. The connector assembly includes a substrate forming a tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end an electrical circuit formed on the substrate, such as etching or printing, where the substrate is optionally non-conductive. In another option, the connector assembly includes clad wires and/or flexible circuits within an insulated terminal structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/226,374, filed Aug. 21, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/313,893, filed on Aug. 21, 2001, under 35U.S.C. 119(e). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/226,374 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/738,401,filed on Dec. 15, 2000 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,550, thespecifications of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to connector assemblies forelectrophysiological applications. More particularly, it pertains toprinted circuit and micro terminal connectors for electrophysiologicalapplications.

BACKGROUND

Connector assemblies are used to couple electrophysiological deviceswith a conductor. For instance, a connector is used to couple a cardiacstimulator system such as a pacemaker, an anti-tachycardia device, acardioverter or a defibrillator with a lead having an electrode formaking contact with a portion of the heart.

When leads with multiple conductors are involved, the conductors areindividually, mechanically and electrically coupled with the pulsegenerator at a proximal end of the multiple conductors. The multipleconductors at the proximal end are electrically insulated from eachother to prevent shorts and limit electrical leakage between conductors.However, conventional assemblies are bulky and are relatively large formulti-polar assemblies. Furthermore, conventional assemblies havemanufacturing drawbacks, for example, the assembly process is difficultand time consuming.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved connector assembly. What isfurther needed is a multipolar connector having a reduced outer diamter.

SUMMARY

A connector assembly of an electrophysiologial device is provided hereinwhich overcomes the above problems. The connector assembly includes aninsulative elongate tube having an outer periphery and a longitudinalaxis. The tube further includes at least one groove within the outerperiphery of the elongate tube, and a conductor is disposed in eachgroove. The assembly further includes a conductive ring member with aprojection extending from the internal surface. The projection of thering member is disposed in the groove and is electrically coupled withthe conductor. A terminal pin is disposed within the elongate tube, andinsulative material is disposed over the insulative elongate tubeadjacent to the conductive ring member.

In another embodiment, a micro terminal is provided that has an outerperipheral surface. The micro terminal includes a tube of insulation,and a first conductor embedded within the tube of insulation, a secondconductor embedded within the tube of insulation. A first conductive taband a second conductive tab extend from the outer peripheral surface tothe first conductor and the second conductor, respectively. The tube ofinsulation has an inner lumen therethrough.

A method is also provided and includes forming a least one groove withinan outer periphery of an insulative elongate tube having a longitudinalaxis, disposing a conductor in each groove, placing at least oneconductive ring member having an internal surface over the outerperiphery of the insulative elongate tube, and disposing a projectionextending from the internal surface of the conductive ring member withinthe at least one groove. The method further includes disposing aterminal pin within the insulative elongate tube, and disposinginsulative material over the insulative elongate tube adjacent to theconductive ring member.

Several options are as follows. For instance, in one option, the methodfurther includes disposing an insulated conductor in each groove,wherein a portion of insulation of the insulated conductor is removed asthe insulated conductor is disposed within the groove. In anotheroption, the method further includes forming a plurality of elongategrooves within the elongate tube, placing a plurality of conductive ringmembers over the outer periphery of the insulative elongate tube, andpositioning the projection of each conductive ring member in a differentgroove from one another.

In another embodiment, a method includes mechanically and electricallycoupling a plurality of conductors with a plurality of rings,positioning the rings and conductors around an inner tube, molding ainsulation around the rings, the conductors, and inner tube,mechanically and electrically coupling a coil to a terminal pin, anddisposing the coil and the terminal pin through the inner tube.

Several options for the method are as follows. For instance, in oneoption, the method further includes snap-fittedly coupling the terminalpin with the inner tube. In another option, the method further includesrotating the terminal pin with the inner tube after snap-fittedlycoupling the terminal pin with the inner tube. In yet another option,the method further includes stringing an insulative lead body over thecoil. Optionally, mechanically and electrically coupling the conductorswith the rings includes staking the conductors with the rings.

The terminal connectors described herein allow for significantly smallerterminal design. Furthermore, an insulative non-conductive inner lumenhas been provided, which is particularly suited for an open lumen lead,assisting in the prevention of electrical shorts due to fluid entrythrough the open lumen. In addition, the connectors lend themselves toisodiometric, over-the-wire lead designs, with multiple high and lowvoltage paths. Furthermore, the connector designs allow for theminiaturization of the connectors while simultaneously providing formultiple conductive pathways suitable for use in various lead designs.This further results in increased reliability and manufacturability ofthe designs with reduced resistance and increased isolative properties.

These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of thepresent invention will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following description of the invention and referenceddrawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, andfeatures of the invention are realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cut-away view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a connector assembly constructed inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away view of a connector assembly in accordancewith another embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a connector assembly in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a terminal pin in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a conductor in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a ring constructed inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a connector assembly inaccordance with one embodiment. p FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective viewof a connector terminal constructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of a connector assembly in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevational view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side-elevational view of a terminal pin inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates an end view of the terminal pin of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a terminal pinconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a tube constructed in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of cross-sectional view of the tube inFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cut-away view of a portion of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section view of the connector assembly.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-section view of the connector assembly.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-section view of the connector assembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a connectorassembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a connectorassembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of a micro terminal constructed inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cut-away view of FIG. 23 constructed in accordancewith one embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates a side view of the conductive pathways of FIG. 23constructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of a micro terminal assembly constructedin accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates a side view of a micro terminal assembly constructedin accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of a micro terminal assembly constructedin accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a side-elevational view of a pin and ring assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 35 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 36 illustrates a cross-section view of a connector assemblyconstructed in accordance with one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

A micro terminal connector assembly and a printed circuit connectorassembly are provided herein. The micro terminal connector assemblyincludes small conductive insulated clad wires and/or flexible circuitswhich are fed through, or embedded within an insulated terminalstructure. Variations on these designs include, but are not limited to,inclusion of elements of co-axial or co-radial lead technology. Theprinted circuit terminal assembly includes conductive and insulationlayers in a multiple conductive terminal connector. Each of these incombinations thereof are described in further detail below.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate examples of a feed-through terminal 110. Thefeed-through terminal 110 includes electrical connections which are fedfrom an outer surface of the terminal to the filars through aninsulative material. The feed-through terminal 110 includes one or moremetallic tabs 112 that serve to connect an outer surface 113 of thefeed-through terminal 110 to conductor of the lead. The tabs 112, in oneoption, have different lengths. The tabs 112 advantageously provide asmall feed-through connection between an outer peripheral surface andthe conductor wire. The tabs 112 further allow for more insulation to bedisposed between the tabs, as opposed to larger components, such as ringelectrodes. This further allows the feed-through terminal 110 to have asmaller outer diameter and allows the feed-through terminal 110 to beused in high voltage applications.

A conductor wire 114 is electrically coupled with the tabs 112, forexample, by welding to an inner side of the tabs 112. The wires 114 areformed of a conductive material, such as titanium, Pt-Ta, etc, andoptionally the wires 114 are further individually insulated, in additionto the insulative material 116. The electrically connected wires 114 andtabs 112 are molded into an insulative material 116, such as tecothane,through a molding process, such as insert molding. Filars are welded,swaged, or connected using other connection processes to the wires 114which, in one option, are fed through the terminal 110. The terminal 110further includes an open lumen 118 therein, which has a wall formed ofinsulative material. A distal end of the wires 114, in one option, isexposed at a distal end of the insulation, as shown in FIG. 3, andconductive wires are attached thereto. It should be noted that FIGS. 1and 2 illustrate a co-radial design. In one option, a first conductorand a second conductor are embedded within the tube of insulation, and,optionally, are co-radial with one another. In another option, a firstconductor, second, third, and fourth conductor are embedded within thetube of insulation, and are co-radial with one another.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a coaxial design. For example, a firstconductor is radially spaced apart from a second conductor, but theyshare an axis. In another option, the first conductor is disposed aroundthe second conductor. The tabs 112, 112′ of FIG. 3, are in one option,longitudinally spaced from one another. In FIGS. 3 and 4, three layersof insulation 116 are incorporated to form the insulated lumen 118, andto insulate the wires 114 from one another. It should be further notedthat the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 can be combined withthe embodiments discussed above and below.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate one example of a bipolar feed-through terminalassembly 120 and portions thereof, incorporating another embodiment. Theterminal assembly 120 includes a terminal pin 122. The terminal pin 122is formed as a single unit of, in one option, insulative material,including an elongate tube 123. In another option, the terminal pin 122and the elongate tube 123 are separate components coupled together, andoptionally are formed of different materials. The elongate tube 123 isformed of insulative material, and includes at least one longitudinalgroove 126 therein. In one option, the groove is an elongatelongitudinal groove that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetube 123. Disposed within the longitudinal groove 126 is at least oneconductor 124. One example of a conductor 124 is a flat elongateconductor, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, other conductors such aswires, coils, or other shapes can be used as well. In another option,conductive material is coated within the groove 126 (FIG. 5). Optionallydisposed over portions of the conductor 124 is additional insulativematerial, to insulate the conductor 124 from other rings or electricallyconductive components which are slid thereover. In yet another option,the at least one conductor 124 extends continuously from the terminalpin to an electrode 145 along the lead body 148, as shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another option for a terminal 100. Theterminal 100 includes a plurality of grooves 102 formed therein. Thegrooves 102 are configured to receive an insulated filar 106 therein.The grooves have a width 104 which is slightly smaller than an outerdiameter 108 of the filar 106. The filars 106 are forced into the groove102. As the filars 106 are forced into the groove 102, the insulation ofthe filar 106 is removed, given the size of the width 104 for groove 102relative to the filar 106. In one option, the terminal 100 iselectrically conductive, and as the insulation of the filar 106 isremoved, an electrical connection is made between the filar 106 and theterminal 100. In another option, the terminal 100 is formed ofnon-conductive material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and thefilar 106 is electrically coupled with another component, such as aring, as further described below.

In another option, the terminal 100 will consist of multiple strips ofmetal which are insert molded, into an insulating polymer.Alternatively, the multiple strips of metal are disposed within theinsulative polymer in-other manners. Each strip of metal will have thegrooves 102 formed or cut therein which forms the insulationdisplacement connector. The strips are placed in locations to makeconnections with electrodes or rings, which are electrically coupledwith a pulse generator. The insulation displacement terminal can be usedwith the various embodiments discussed above and below.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminal assembly 120 further includesone or more electrically conductive rings 128. As shown in FIG. 7, thering, in one option, has an interior surface 130 from which a projection132 extends. The projection 132 of the ring 128 is received within thegroove 126, and is electrically coupled with the conductor 124. Theprojection 132 electrically couples the conductor 124 with the header orother electrical stimulation device. FIG. 7 illustrates an example wheremultiple rings 128 are incorporated within the assembly 120.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate alternative embodiments for the terminal pin 122.The elongate tube 123 of the terminal pin 122 includes a plurality ofgrooves 126 within the periphery of the elongate tube 123, for example,four grooves 126 suitable for use in a quad-polar design, shown in FIGS.11-13. It should be noted that any number of grooves can be used,including a single groove. Alternatively, two grooves 126 are formed inthe elongate tube of the terminal pin 122 (FIG. 14). At least oneconductor 124 (FIG. 9) is inserted into each of the grooves 126. Sincethe grooves 126 are disposed within insulative material for the terminalpin 122, each of the conductors 124 are electrically isolated from oneanother, and do not add to the overall outer diameter of the terminalassembly 120.

FIG. 11 illustrates a connector assembly 140 formed from a terminal pin122 of FIGS. 12 and 13. Four rings 142, each having an outer diameter of0.072 inches, are disposed over the terminal pin 122, and each iselectrically coupled with a conductor disposed within the grooves. Anouter diameter of 0.072 inches is achievable due to the construction ofthe terminal pin 122 and ring 142. The inner diameter of the lumen iselectrically isolated from each of the four rings 142, and the fourrings 142 are electrically isolated from one another. All of thedielectric paths for this quad-polar configuration were confirmed to beelectrically isolated at 1,500 volts AC. Previously, it was not possibleto have a bipolar 0.072 inch outer diameter terminal.

FIGS. 15-20 illustrate another embodiment including a printed circuitterminal 150. The printed circuit terminal 150 includes one or moreprinted circuits 152 thereon. The printed circuits 152 or conductivepaths would be printed on a substrate in the form of a tube 154, wherethe tube 154 is formed of non-conductive material. In another option,the tube 154 is formed of electrically conductive material. In anotheroption, a layer of insulation 156 is disposed over the tube 154, and theprinted circuits 152 are formed on the layer of insulation 156. Inaddition, a layer of insulation 155 is disposed in a layer over theprinted circuits 152. One or more rings 158 are disposed on the assembly150. An electrical connection 160 would then be formed in between thering 158 and the printed circuits 152, where the electrical connection160 is fed through the insulative material. Each of the individualprinted circuits 152 would be electrically isolated from each other bythe spacing on the insulative material 156. The printed circuits can beprinted on the pin or substrate 154, alternatively they can be etched orotherwise formed thereon. One example of material for use with theinsulative material is KAPTON™ by Dupont. Examples for the conductivematerial include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, titanium,copper, or nickel. The connections in between the ring and the printedcircuits are formed, for example, by an exposed pad with feed-throughwires, a wire through hole, or fingers which extend beyond the flexiblecircuits, as further discussed above and below.

FIG. 21 illustrates one example of connecting the etched pathways orconductive paths with the terminal by insulated rings 170 which areconnected to set screws. The rings 170 have insulating material 172 suchas polyurethane, silicone dioxide, etc., as the insulative material. Thering 170 further includes a conductive portion 174, which is formed ofconductive material, such as, but not limited to, titanium, gold, orplatinum. A small section 176 of an inside of a ring 170 is notinsulated and can make an active connection with one of the etchedconductive pathways (see 180, FIG. 22).

FIG. 22 illustrates another example of a printed circuit terminal whichincludes two etched pathways 180 thereon, including a first pathway 181and a second pathway 183. The first pathway 181 and the second pathway183 are electrically isolated from one another. It should be noted thatadditional pathways are contemplated and considered within the scope ofthis application. The first and second pathways 181, 183 areelectrically coupled with a first ring 182 and a second ring 184,respectively. Ring 182 is electrically isolated at 186 such that it isisolated from the second pathway 183. Ring 182 is electrically coupledat 188 with the first pathway 181 to form the electrical connectionthereto.

FIG. 23 illustrates another variation of a micro terminal concept. Aprinted circuit terminal pin 200 includes a pin 202 and a layer ofinsulation 204 with a plurality of electrodes 206 therein. Optionally,pin 202 is formed of metal material The plurality of electrodes 206 areelectrically isolated from one another within the layer of insulation204. The plurality of electrodes 206 are coupled with conductivepathways 180 (FIG. 25) which are etched on the pin, and insulation 204is disposed over the conductive pathways. The conductive pathways extendbetween the electrode 206 (A, B, C, and D) and the attachment sites, A′,B′, C′, and D′. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the rings, are coupled withtheir respective electrodes A, B, C, and D. Wires 218 are electricallycoupled with the attachment sites A′, B′, C′, and D′ and extend alongthe lead body. As shown in FIG. 28, insulation 219 is disposed overinsulation 204 and over attachment sites A′, B′, C′, and D′, and theterminal is optionally isodiametric. In another option, no rings areused, and the electrode 206 is used for electrical connection, forexample, within a header. In another option, the wires 218 are embeddedwithin the insulation 204, such that additional insulation 219 is notnecessary. Still further, in another option, the conductive pathwayscomprise flexible circuits 214 which are disposed within the insulation.Electrical connection between the pin and the device is made bydisposing electrical connectors 206 within the insulative material 216,where the electrical connectors 206 extend to various depths to reachthe individual, respective flexible circuits 214. Filars of the lead areelectrically coupled with a circuit trace of the flexible circuit 214.It should be noted that for this embodiment, as well as for above andbelow discussed embodiments, the flexible circuit 214 includes, but isnot limited to, electrical paths which are printed, etched, or embeddedwithin or on insulative material and formed into the appropriateconfiguration. In yet another option, the micro terminal includes alumen 207.

FIGS. 30-31 illustrate another option of the printed circuit terminal.The printed circuit terminal includes, for example, a substrate 220,with a terminal ring disposed there over. A layer of insulativematerial, such as polyimid, i.e., KAPTON™ by Dupont, is disposed overthe substrate 220. The layer of insulative material 222 has a thickness,for example, in the range of 0.0002 inches to 0.0010 inches. Disposedover the insulative material 222, is a layer for the conductive path224. The layer 224, in one embodiment, comprises Pt, for the conductivepath. The terminal ring 226 is slid over the layers of 224 and 222 andis joined with the outer conductive path 224 with, for example, byconductive adhesive, welding, or other fixation features which wouldform the electrical connection thereto. One or more filars 228 areelectrically coupled with the outer conductive layer or path 224.

FIGS. 32-35 show one example of various cross-sectional views of theprinted circuit tube for the terminal connector, for example, of aquad-polar . Each of the cross-section views include an insulativeportion 232, as well as a conductor 234. Each of the conductors 234shown individually in FIGS. 32-35 allow for the multiple rings to beelectrically connected with the tube, for example, forming a quad polarrelationship thereto, while also maintaining an isodiametric shape forthe terminal pin. In addition, the FIGS. 32-35 illustrate how theconductors 234 are spaced peripherally from one another, for example, at0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees around the diameter of the pin. In anotheroption, the conductors 234 are longitudinally spaced from one another.It should be noted that other configurations, for example, with more orfewer electrically conductive portions can be configured and arranged onthe printed circuit tube. It should be further noted that theembodiments shown in FIGS. 32-35 can be combined with all of the abovediscussed embodiments.

In another embodiment, a method for forming a connector assembly of anelectrophysiological device is provided herein. The method includesinsert molding a first flexible circuit within tubular insulatingmaterial, and electrically coupling a connector with the first flexiblecircuit. In one option, the method further includes molding a secondflexible circuit within the tubular insulating material, where thesecond flexible circuit forms a second layer over the first flexiblecircuit. In another option, the method includes electrically coupling asecond connector with the second flexible circuit, and the secondconnector has a different depth within the tubular insulating materialthan the first connector.

A method is also provided and includes forming a least one groove withinan outer periphery of an insulative elongate tube having a longitudinalaxis, disposing a conductor in each groove, placing at least oneconductive ring member having an internal surface over the outerperiphery of the insulative elongate tube, and disposing a projectionextending from the internal surface of the conductive ring member withinthe at least one groove. The method further includes disposing aterminal pin within the insulative elongate tube, and disposinginsulative material over the insulative elongate tube adjacent to theconductive ring member.

Several options are as follows. For instance, in one option, the methodfurther includes disposing an insulated conductor in each groove,wherein a portion of insulation of the insulated conductor is removed asthe insulated conductor is disposed within the groove. In anotheroption, the method further includes forming a plurality of elongategrooves within the elongate tube, placing a plurality of conductive ringmembers over the outer periphery of the insulative elongate tube, andpositioning the projection of each conductive ring member in a differentgroove from one another.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 36, a method includesmechanically and electrically coupling a plurality of conductors 250with a plurality of rings 252, for example, by staking the conductors250 with the rings 252. The method further includes positioning therings 252 and conductors 250 around an inner tube 254, molding aninsulation 258 around the rings 252, the conductors 250, and inner tube254, for example by injecting an insulative material to fix thecomponents and place and complete the assembly except for the pincomponent. The rings, cables, and inner tube can be provided in a singleovermolded assembly. The method further includes mechanically andelectrically coupling a coil to a terminal pin 256, and disposing thecoil and the terminal pin through the inner tube 254.

Several options for the method are as follows. For instance, in oneoption, the method further includes snap-fittedly coupling the terminalpin with the inner tube. In yet another option, the method furtherincludes stringing an insulative lead body over the continuouslyextending conductors. Optionally, mechanically and electrically couplingthe conductors with the rings includes coupling continuously extendingconductors with the rings, and coupling the continuously extendingconductors with an electrode (see FIG. 11). The method allows forachieving an outer diameter of approximately 3 mm, and in one option, isdesigned for a simple snap-assembly where latches of the pin and tubeengage one another. Other types of snap-fit designs are available aswell. The molding operation distinctly locates components consistently,and reliably isolates the conductors from one another by providingredundant insulation between components.

Advantageously, the above-described terminal connectors allow forsignificantly smaller terminal design. Furthermore, an insulativenon-conductive inner lumen has been provided, which is particularlysuited for an open lumen lead, assisting in the prevention of electricalshorts due to fluid entry through the open lumen. In addition, theabove-described connectors lend themselves to isodiametric,over-the-wire lead designs, with multiple high and low voltage paths.Furthermore, the above connector designs allow for the miniaturizationof the connectors while simultaneously providing for multiple conductivepathways suitable for use in various lead designs. This further resultsin increased reliability and manufacturability of the designs withreduced resistance and increased insulative properties.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding theabove description. It should be noted that embodiments discussed indifferent portions of the description or referred to in differentdrawings can be combined to form additional embodiments of the presentinvention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A terminal assembly for a medical device, the terminal assemblycomprising: an insulative elongate tube having an outer periphery and alongitudinal axis; at least three conductors disposed along the elongatetube; at least three conductive ring members having an internal surface,each ring disposed over the elongate tube; a conductive memberelectrically coupling each conductive ring member with its respectiveconductor; a terminal pin extending from a pin proximal end to a pindistal end, the terminal pin disposed within the insulative elongatetube; and insulative material disposed over the insulative elongate tubeadjacent to the conductive ring members.
 2. The terminal assembly asrecited in claim 1, wherein each ring member has at least one projectionextending from the internal surface, the insulative elongate tube havinga plurality of grooves within the tube, each projection disposed in itsrespective groove.
 3. The terminal assembly in claim 2, wherein an outerdiameter of a portion of the insulated conductors are greater than awidth of the grooves.
 4. The terminal assembly as recited in claim 1,further comprising a lead body mechanically coupled with the terminalpin, the lead body including electrodes disposed therealong, wherein theat least three conductors extend continuously from the conductive ringmembers to the electrodes.
 5. The terminal assembly as recited in claim1, wherein the conductive member is a feed-through terminal.
 6. Theterminal assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the rings have aninsulated portion and a conductive portion.
 7. The terminal assembly asrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least three conductors are printedalong the elongate tube.
 8. The terminal assembly as recited in claim 1,wherein the terminal pin is snap fittedly coupled with the insulativeelongate tube.
 9. The terminal assembly as recited in claim 1, whereinthe at least three conductors are insulated conductors, and theinsulated conductors are electrically coupled with respective conductivering members.
 10. A method comprising: forming a terminal assemblyincluding disposing one or more conductors along an outer periphery ofan insulative elongate tube having a longitudinal axis; disposing one ormore conductors along tube includes printing a conductive path on theelongate tube; placing at least one conductive ring member having aninternal surface over the outer periphery of the insulative elongatetube; electrically coupling each conductive ring member with arespective conductive path; disposing a terminal pin within theinsulative elongate tube; and disposing insulative material over theinsulative elongate tube adjacent to the conductive ring member.
 11. Themethod as recited in claim 10, further comprising disposing multipleconductive ring members over the tube, and electrically isolating eachring from each other.
 12. The method as recited in claim 10, whereinprinting the conductive path includes etching the conductive path on theelongate tube.
 13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprisingsnap-fittedly coupling the terminal pin with the elongate tube.
 14. Themethod as recited in claim 10, further comprising providing the ringswith an insulated portion and a conductive portion.
 15. A terminalassembly comprising: an insulative elongate tube having one or moreconductors printed thereon; at least one conductive ring member havingan internal surface; and the at least one conductive ring memberdisposed over the insulative elongate tube, the at least one conductivering electrically coupled with the one or more conductors.
 16. Theterminal assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising a terminalpin disposed within insulative elongate tube.
 17. The terminal assemblyas recited in claim 15, further comprising insulative material disposedover insulative elongate tube adjacent to the conductive ring member.18. The terminal assembly as recited in claim 15, further comprising afeed-through coupled between the ring and the conductor.
 19. Theterminal assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the terminal pin issnap fittedly coupled with the insulative elongate tube.
 20. Theterminal assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein at least threeconductive rings are disposed over the insulative elongate tube.